September 22,
2000

ESGENOOPETITJ (BURNT CHURCH)
FISHERY UNDER THREAT

Esgeno�petitj, New Brunswick
September 22, 2000

At 11:00am this morning [Friday] several hundred members of the First
Nation (EFN) prayed at the shore of Miramichi Bay along with their supporters
from across Canada. Community elders gave blessings and offered tobacco;
the entire gathered assembly joined hands and sang the Mi'qmac honor song.

The prayer ceremony took place against a backdrop of potential violence.
11:00 am was the time that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO)
had set as the deadline for EFN fishers to have all of their lobster traps
out of the water. Herb Dahliwal, head of the DFO, continued to threaten
the use of force, insisting that the DFO would remove the traps if native
fishers did not. The Canadian army has been put on standby and could raid
or blockade the community at any time.

With the possibility of imminent violence here, the Esgeno�petitj community
and elders have asked us to send this urgent action.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

The community is requesting volunteers to act as third party observers.
The local gymnasium is being cleared for sleeping space and meals will
be provided. If you can come, bring sleeping gear and any personal items
you will need. For more info, contact the Esgeno�petitj (Burnt Church)
CPT (Christian Peacemaker Teams) at 1-506-779-5886

Contact the Canadian officials below and express your concern aboutthe
excessive force that the DFO has been using and has threatened to use
in this dispute. Let the officials know that you are following the situation
and express your desire that it be resolved peacefully.

Toronto Community Mobilizes to Support Burnt
Church First Nation

September 22, 2000

At a Public Prayer Vigil held in Toronto today, Cree Elder Vern Harper
spoke of the power of prayer to a gathering of more than 50 people in
front of the Native Canadian Centre.

Organized on 12 hours notice, non-Native and Aboriginal people came
together because of deep apprehension about the rising tensions surrounding
the Burnt Church Mi'kmaq community in New Brunswick. Organizers and participants
brought many solidarity messages from individuals who are undertaking
support actions across Canada - sending letters to Canadian government
officials, travelling to New Brunswick, or taking time out today for some
prayers and thoughts of support. From as far away as Chicago, it was reported
that a protest is planned for tomorrow afternoon, September 23rd, in front
of the Canadian Consulate.

Following the Mi'kmaq Honour Song by the Toronto Women's Drum and a
traditional Cree prayer, several non-Aboriginal participants addressed
the issue. An Acadienne woman spoke of the long history of friendship
between her People and the Mi'kmaq People. She expressed deep sorrow that
terrible, perhaps irreversible, damage is being caused by the cynical
way the federal government has transmitted a deliberately distorted message
about the Burnt Church fishery.

The Canadian Federation of Students pledged its ongoing support for
the Mi'kmaq People's right to make a livelihood from the east coast fishery.
CFS spokesperson, Pam Frache, commented, "No thinking person is fooled
by the government's argument this is about conservation. Minister Dhaliwal's
motivation is to protect the multinational corporations who are exploiting
and destroying the fishery."

Toronto community members expressed a strong solidarity commitment for
the Mi'kmaqs, and an announcement was made about a follow-up meeting at
the Native Canadian Centre at 6 pm on Monday, September 25th. This meeting
will plan further Burnt Church support actions.

The Prayer Vigil was organized by the Coalition for a Public Inquiry
into Ipperwash (CPI), with the support of the Toronto Women's Drum and
the Native Canadian Centre. CPI is gravely concerned that the events that
occurred at Ipperwash, where non-violent Aboriginal Rights protestor Dudley
George was fatally shot by police, could be repeated at Burnt Church.
Of particular concern to CPI is the apparent impunity enjoyed by senior
government officials who have been extensively implicated in the Ipperwash
affair. This impunity appears to be seen, by federal fisheries and other
officials, as license to similarly violate the human rights of the Mi'kmaq
fishers who - also non-violently - are asserting their Aboriginal Rights.

As Chief of the Esgenoopetitj First Nation, I wish to attempt once again
peaceful dialogue in addressing the dispute over the exercise of our fishing
rights.

In the name of our men, women and children in accord with the pride
of Canadians and of your government in peaceful resolution of conflict,
I call upon you to hold off on enforcement action and sit down with me
immediately and without pre-conditions. Enforcement will only deepen the
gulf of distrust and make relations more difficult when we return to dialogue,
as we inevitably must.

You are the Minister of the Crown charged with upholding our rights.
Your relations with us are constitutionally required to be trustlike and
not adversarial. I do not believe that Canadians and the international
community will accept massive land and sea enforcement action against
Aboriginal people when the Minister responsible has failed to even meet
with the Aboriginal Chief.

I invoke and remind you of the solemn promises of the Crown to my ancestors
in the Treaty of 1779 signed with the Mi�kmaq chiefs and captains of the
Miramichi:

"That the said Indians and their constituents shall remain in
the Districts before mentioned, Quiet and Free from any Molestation of
His Majesty�s Troops or other Good subjects in their Hunting and Fishing.
"

I ask you to look to your constitutional duties. Your conservation
concerns can be addressed once the audited trap count is complete. Think
of the children and future relations.

Possible gunfire reported at
Burnt Church

Ottawa - A gunshot may have been fired in the dispute over the native
lobster fishery in Burnt Church, N.B., say government documents obtained
by The Canadian Press.

"Latest reports indicate that at least one non-native boat has been
in the Miramichi Bay area and that shots may have been fired," say briefing
notes used by Fisheries Minister Herb Dhaliwal in the House of Commons
on Friday. "The RCMP is being alerted."

The briefing notes, used to prepare the minister for question period
and to face reporters, said fisheries officers removed 113 untagged traps
from the water Thursday night.

They said further efforts to remove tagged traps, which were ordered
out of the water by 11 a.m. Friday, have been impeded by poor weather
and sea conditions.

Mr. Dhaliwal never brought up the gunshots in the House — the information
in the briefing notes came under the heading "Responsive Only."

"This is really an RCMP matter," Mr. Dhaliwal said in an interview.
"I have not been briefed on it. The RCMP and the Solicitor-General are
responsible for peace and order. So if there's any information, they would
provide that. It wouldn't be the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans."

The documents also say the Maritime Fishermen's Union may have made
its support of an agreement with Burnt Church natives "dependent on receiving
$2.1-million in compensation."

The figure represents what non-native fishermen estimate they will lose
in income in next spring's lobster fishery as a result of increased activity
by natives, the documents say.

Mediator Bob Rae reportedly offered non-natives $10,000 to $12,000 each
as compensation. He was turned down and left Burnt Church this week, saying
the sides were too far apart.

Compensation was something the Mr. Rae discussed, not government officials.

"It's not something that DFO ever agreed upon or was ever agreed upon
by me," Mr. Dhaliwal said.

Hundreds of people lined up along the shoreline on the reserve Friday
morning, many holding flags with the symbols of bands from across Canada.
The natives prayed and several men chanted a Mi'kmaq song. Several Mi'kmaq
warriors were on the wharf, dressed in military fatigues and wearing handkerchiefs
over their faces.

Along the shoreline, some of the natives were wearing traditional outfits
and carrying eagle feathers, a sign of power and strength. Native lobster
fishermen were also visible as they unloaded traps and picked out the
lobster caught over the last few days.

"An independent audit conducted by the First Nation resulted in one
untagged trap being pulled from the water," said the documents. "Enforcement
efforts are underway to remove unauthorized traps. Enforcement operations
are being conducted so as to avoid confrontation."

There were no details about what happened on the water.

The briefing documents, however, said: "We are aware of unconfirmed
reports that one or more shots may have been fired. We will be making
the RCMP aware of the reports."

Copyright 2000 | The
Globe and Mail

Coon Come warns of growing anger

Prince Rupert, B.C.- The explosive fishing dispute in Burnt Church,
N.B., is fuelling aboriginal anger across Canada, the national chief of
the Assembly of First Nations told British Columbia aboriginal leaders
Thursday.

"I'd hate to see what could happen across this country," said Matthew
Coon Come. "How long can we restrain our people?"

Aboriginals are witnessing Ottawa, through the Department of Fisheries
and Oceans, trampling the constitutional and treaty rights of the Burnt
Church native fishermen to catch lobster, he said. Mr. Coon Come suggested
Ottawa will do the same thing to quell other aboriginal protests in Canada.
"What happens in Burnt Church definitely affects all of us," he said.

B.C.'s First Nations Summit, the largest aboriginal organization in
the province, is holding a three-day meeting in this north coast city.

"The federal government seems to be saying it has the right to ram our
fishing and ranger's boats, thereby endangering our lives, threatening
public peace," Mr. Coon Come said. "The Criminal Code says it's wrong.
The Constitution says it's wrong. International laws of human rights say
it's wrong. Common decency says it's wrong."

He told B.C. aboriginal leaders that Ottawa will take similar steps
to end future attempts by natives to exercise their treaty or constitutional
rights. "I don't think we can stand back any more and just sit and watch
as billions of dollars are being extracted from our land," Mr. Coon Come
said. "We truly are at the crossroads."

He said he would rather avoid confrontations, but aboriginals must stand
together and fight against what is happening in Burnt Church. Mr. Coon
Come suggested mounting international campaigns and boycotts designed
to tarnish Canada's world image as a tolerant nation.

B.C.'s aboriginal leaders appeared to agree with Mr. Coon Come's call
for unity on Burnt Church. Several said they supported national and international
campaigns to bring more attention to aboriginal issues.

Just to let you know what we're up to this morning. For those of you
we haven't met, we are a small circle of First Nations, Metis and non-Aboriginal
people, connected to Under A Northern Sky: Aboriginal Circle of Peacemaking
and Justice, active since 1997 in Northwestern Ontario, and Manitoba.
Some of us are graduates and faculty of Conflict Resolution Studies degree
program at Menno Simons college/the University of Winnipeg. Many of us
are actively working in community development in our own First Nations
and urban communities.

A small delegation of people who are part of Under A Northern Sky -
Al Hunter Jr., Sandra Indian, myself, Joe Morrison, Barbara Date, and
a group of Elders (will let you know names later) will be attending the
'Grand Opening' of Robert Nault's constituency office here in Kenora this
afternoon from 2-4 pm. We will take the attached press release with us,
and also have arranged an appointment with the Minister for Sat. 9 a.m.

We have been been talking to each other and forwarding email which we've
received through Al from the Midwest Treaty Network, AFN and the Ipperwash
Coalition and others. We kept a 24 hr prayer vigil and fire going for
Burnt church Tues. Sept 19- Wed. Sept 20. Al Hunter and partner Sandra
Indian are departing Wpg Sat at 8:30 a.m. for Burnt Church to stay until
Thurs., delivering messages of support from this area. We've been sharing
ideas about how we could contribute to a peaceful and just outcome for
people there.

There are some specific things we're doing that we invite others to contribute
to:

We've started a "peace work" quilt, with messages on pieces of cloth,
to send with Al & Sandra, which others could add to along the way, or
out there.

Al & Sandra will also have a binder of email and other written messages
to convey our support to the people of Burnt Church.

We are encouraging Robert Nault, Minister of Indian Affairs (our
local MP) to return to Burnt Church to be part of a circle of peacekeeping
there; we are talking to Elders here about accompanying him.

We will also forward names of people who would be willling to be
part of a peacekeeping/dispute resolution resource group, to put their
minds together to come up with a number of ways besides the limited
ones (a sole mediator, enforcement, round table meetings) which the
federal gov't listed when they said on the news last night they had
tried "everything" using the "carrot & stick". We know there are at
least four different ways (probably a 100) in which any conflict can
be responded to creatively.

We are also wondering about a Four Days - Four Ways national campaign
(starting today at 11 est, the time that the fed gov't ultimatum is
up) as follows:

&nbsp Day II , Sat 11 am - Sun 11
am - GETTING TOGETHER - people get together in various
ways and numbers, as few as four or more, to share information and
ideas; invite speakers, resource people. For resource material we
suggest widespread distribution of a collection of 4 recent insightful,
well-researched articles such as transcript of Mercredi's interview
on As It Happens last night; Boyce Richardson's article; Midwest Treaty
Network letter to G&M - "Burnt church learn from us" and one by Parker
Bass Donham.

&nbsp Day III , Sun 11 am - Monday
11 am - REFLECTION prayer, reflection on what has
been learned, inspiration; Elders, spiritual leaders, faith groups,
churches could play a leading role in issuing a call for this

&nbsp Day IV, Monday 11 am - Tues
11 am - ACTION people act with purpose in whatever
ways they've been called to, to support or contribute to resolution
efforts.

We welcome responses and continued flow of information, ideas.

Miigwech

Mary Alice Smith
Al Hunter
Barbara Date

Under A Northern Sky Aboriginal Circle of Peacemaking & Justice

September 22, 2000

The deadline for the Mi'kmaq in New Brunswick
to submit to federal demands was 9 CST am today. Armed federal
forces have moved in to take out tribal lobster traps, despite
last year's Supreme Court ruling upholding Mi'kmaq treaty rights.

A support rally is scheduled for Saturday 10 am at the Canadian
consulate in Chicago. The consulate officials already knew who
Midwest Treaty Network was from our pro-treaty commentary in the Toronto
Globe and Mail, and had visited our website. They are very concerned that
Americans are following the issue.

Please call the consulate immediately at 312-616-1860 to urge a peaceful
resolution of the crisis and a recognition of Mi'kmaq treaty rights. The
Minneapolis consulate is (612.) 333-4641.

Thanks!

Jourdain to send delegation to Burnt Church

Grand Chief Leon Jourdain of Grand Council Treaty 3 believes the possibility
of a Burnt Church incident occurring in the Treaty 3 area is all too real
and he is sending a delegation of members of the Ojibway Ogichiitag Society
to support the citizens of Burnt Church in their struggle to protect aboriginal
and treaty rights.

The Ogichiitag Society is little known outside Ojibway circles. The
society is a warrior society in its purest form. "The Ogichiitag Society
and specifically these men are not warriors in the present day 'bastardized'
context; they endeavour to live as traditional Ojibway men, which implies
pride, traditional values, assertiveness, respect, policing, protection
and honour," said Jourdain. They are not aggressive or violent, but rather
are strong and honourable.

In dispatching the members of the society to Burnt Church, Jourdain
said in a letter to Burnt Church Chief Wilbur Dedam, "I am confident you
can count on them to assist your efforts responsibly."

Jourdain expressed his admiration and respect for the efforts of the
Burnt Church community in their bid to have court decisions upheld, and
their defence of aboriginal and treaty rights.

In his letter to Dedam, Jourdain added, "These Ogichiitag men will place
themselves at your disposal, to assist your efforts in any way that you
see fit. In the event they are asked to participate in activity that is
not consistent with our traditional teachings, they have been instructed
to politely refuse. I am confident that you will not ask of them what
they cannot complete."

Jourdain wrote that the goal of Treaty 3's grand council is to support
the efforts of the Burnt Church community, and to defend treaty and aboriginal
rights in a respectful but firm manner consistent with the teachings of
Ojibway elders.

He said he felt some action was required to demonstrate that Treaty
3 leadership condemns the government's heavy-handed unilateral action,
and the misleading spin they are putting on the dispute. Jourdain questions
the government's portrayal of aboriginal lobster fishing as a conservation
issue, saying Burnt Church has adopted a strict conservation and management
plan which accounts for less than one per cent of the total fishery.

"The possibility of a Burnt Church in Treaty 3 is all too real, government
refusal to acknowledge what the courts have determined - that treaty rights
exist and must be respected - is cause for increasing frustration. We
cannot continue to have pockets of poverty and third world living conditions
in resource rich areas," said Jourdain.

He would not say how long the Ogichiitag Society would be expected to
remain in Burnt Church, but suggested that their role will be to help
the citizens of that community to resolve this issue as quickly as possible.

Jourdain said he has some hope for a mediated settlement due to the
appointment of Bob Rae, Ontario's one time premier, as mediator.

Update

September 22, 2000

Federal Fisheries officers began pulling lobster
traps out of Miramichi Bay, New Brunswick late last night even before
the government's deadline of 11 a.m. Atlantic time today.
Native fishermen are out fishing again and the school at Burnt Church
is closed in a community concerned and fearful of more violence. - First
Nations across the country are calling for prayers in the wake of Canada's
latest raid and the likelihood of more military tactics. - Prayer gatherings
are being held in various places including at the Native Canadian Centre
in Toronto. This is an international issue now.

A rally is planned for Chicago and in various U.S. cities the Canadian
consulates are being targetted with protest calls and faxes. --- The federal
court has rejected the Indian Brook First Nation's efforts to halt Federal
Fisheries from seizing Native lobster traps. --- National Chief says Aboriginal
people across the country are watching the east coast closely. To avoid
similar occurences in BC he said the status quo is unacceptable and calls
for new incentives to bring progress to the stalled BC Treaty Process.
Matthew Coon Come says Canada's must get rid of its extinguishment of
aboriginal rights policy. --- The Union of BC Indian Chiefs has reaffirmed
its support and launched an emergency fundraising campaign to support
the Mi'kmaq. --- Several grand chiefs from Manitoba are in Burnt Church
to provide support.

Federal Fisheries officers began to pull lobster traps from Miramichi
Bay even before the deadline arrived that was set by the Minister. They
weren't supposed to start their raid until eleven o'clock this morning
but they started late last night to pull traps out of the water. Despite
that, Native fishermen from Burnt Church began fishing again and the Chief
and Council refused to give in to government demands they pull out their
traps. One sign of the concerns and fears in the community of the potential
for more violence - the school at Burnt Church is closed.

First Nations across the country are calling for prayers in the wake
of Canada's latest strategy and the likelihood of more military tactics.
Canada's Minister of Fisheries has delivered a 24 hour ultimatum to the
Burnt Church First Nation - get all the lobster traps out of Miramichi
Bay or else. Prayer gatherings will be held in various places including
Burnt Church and Toronto and a rally is planned for Chicago. In various
U.S. cities Canadian consulates are being targetted with protest calls
and faxes.

The federal court has rejected the Indian Brook First Nation's efforts
to halt Federal Fisheries from seizing Native lobster traps. The National
Chief says Aboriginal people across the country are watching the east
coast closely. To avoid similar occurences in BC he said the status quo
is unacceptable and calls for new incentives to bring progress to the
stalled BC Treaty Process. Matthew Coon Come says Canada's must get rid
of its extinguishment of aboriginal rights policy. --- The Union of BC
Indian Chiefs has reaffirmed its support and launched an emergency fundraising
campaign to support the Mi'kmaq. --- Several grand chiefs from Manitoba
are in Burnt Church to provide support.

BURNT CHURCH SUPPORT
PUBLIC PRAYER VIGIL TODAY

Friday
September 22, 2000 ~ 10 - 11:30 AM
NATIVE CANADIAN CENTRE

16 Spadina Road, 1/2 block north of Bloor Street West

Yesterday, the People of Burnt Church (Esgenoopetitj) informed their
national and international support network that they expect a Canadian
government assault on their community members at any time. They have identified
a high possibility of this assault occurring at 11 am today, which is
the deadline set out by Minister Dhaliwal in his ultimatum to them to
stop fishing. They will hold a Public Prayer Vigil on the Burnt Church
wharf at that time, and ask Canadians and Aboriginal Peoples across the
country to join them in this act.

With the events at Ipperwash Park STILL unresolved, it is clear that
Canadian authorities enjoy an unjust impunity when they launch violent
assaults on non-violent Aboriginal Rights activists. This has been happening
on the Miramichi Bay waters for the past weeks. Today's Prayer Vigil in
an act of solidarity. We hope that community support can save lives. People
who cannot join the Vigil on such short notice will be taking a few moments
for prayer at 11 a.m.

At 10:00 pm last night, the AFN released a statement clarifying the
First Nation's and mediator Bob Rae's positions with regards to continuing
negotiations, and contradicting mass media reports and comments by Minister
Dhaliwal. The AFN released comments by Rae, stating his position that
he is willing to continue the mediation process "if both parties agree".

The Chief of the Burnt Church First Nations, Wilbur Dedam, responded
to Rae's statement, "I remain committed to work with the mediator and
the government. The community is also supportive of the process. The government
must now show that they want to work to a peaceful resolution," said Chief
Dedam.

"The mediation process is the only possible peaceful solution at this
point," said AFN National Chief Coon Come. "In every instance where an
understanding was established between the parties, the federal government
has been the party to break the agreement. I urge the government to enter
the process and to give it a chance to make it work. That has yet to happen."

If there is a raid tomorrow on the community, then the government will
have shown that it has no intention or desire to find a peaceful solution.
Does 'the war against the Indians' continue?

This message sent
by the Coalition for a Public Inquiry into Ipperwash: 416-537-3520
For information on Vigil, call the Native Canadian Centre at 416-964-9087
AFN (Jean LaRose): (613) 241-6789x251; (613) 795-9664 (cell); (613) 834-1481

National chief warns of growing aboriginal anger
over Burnt Church

DIRK MEISSNER
September 22, 2000

PRINCE RUPERT, B.C. (CP) - The explosive fishing dispute in Burnt Church,
N.B., is fuelling aboriginal anger across Canada, the national chief of
the Assembly of First Nations told British Columbia aboriginal leaders
Thursday.

"I'd hate to see what could happen across this country," said Matthew
Coon Come. "How long can we restrain our people?" Aboriginals are witnessing
the federal government, through the Department of Fisheries and Oceans,
trampling the constitutional and treaty rights of the Burnt Church native
fishermen to catch lobster, he said.

Coon Come suggested Ottawa will do the same thing to quell other aboriginal
protests in Canada. "What happens in Burnt Church definitely affects all
of us," he said.

B.C.'s First Nations Summit, the largest aboriginal organization in
the province, is holding a three-day meeting in this north coast city.

B.C. Premier Ujjal Dosanjh addressed the leaders after Coon Come, but
focused his remarks on treaty-making in the province. "The B.C. government
continues to believe that success in the current treaty process is critical
to long-term stability in this province," he said. "My government believes
treaties are a matter of social justice."

The Burnt Church area has been the scene of violent and verbal confrontations
between aboriginals and DFO officers, who have been removing lobster traps.

An attempt at reaching a mediated solution ended in failure.

"The federal government seems to be saying it has the right to ram our
fishing and ranger's boats, thereby endangering our lives, threatening
public peace," Coon Come said. "The Criminal Code says it's wrong. The
Constitution says it's wrong. International laws of human rights say it's
wrong. Common decency says it's wrong."

He told B.C. aboriginal leaders that Ottawa will take similar steps
to end future attempts by natives to exercise their treaty or constitutional
rights. "I don't think we can stand back any more and just sit and watch
as billions of dollars are being extracted from our land," Coon Come said.
"We truly are at the crossroads."

He said he would rather avoid confrontations, but aboriginals must stand
together and fight against what is happening in Burnt Church. Coon Come
suggested mounting international campaigns and boycotts designed to tarnish
Canada's world image as a tolerant nation. "It's not just about blocking
roads," he said.

B.C.'s aboriginal leaders appeared to agree with Coon Come's call for
unity on Burnt Church. Several said they supported national and international
campaigns to bring more attention to aboriginal issues.

Most leaders told Coon Come they were concerned about the slow pace
of treaty talks in British Columbia with provincial and federal negotiators.

There are few treaties in British Columbia and many aboriginal groups
are voicing frustration about their inability to resolve longstanding
disputes with government.

"As we sit here, the First Nations Summit has a war council set up,"
said Richard Watts, a Vancouver Island aboriginal leader. The summit is
looking at ways to speed up the treaty negotiation process and some of
its plans include public protests, he said. "I think direct action is
probably one of the last ways of doing it," Watts said.

Dosanjh told the aboriginals there is perhaps six months left in his
government's current mandate and now is the time to make progress on treaties.
"We have to be realistic, this government has a limited amount of time
left in its mandate," he said. "Either we work together to make progress
now or we miss an opportunity which may not come again for a generation."

Dosanjh, who hinted at a fall election last week, said he was not conceding
defeat when he suggested the treaty process needs to move forward quickly
or face a possible lengthy delay.

He must call an election by June 2001. Dosanjh is leading an NDP government
struggling to stay above 20 per cent in the public opinion polls. The
Opposition Liberals, harsh critics of the treaty process, are hovering
near 50 per cent.

Grand Chief Edward John, a summit leader, joked about a bad political
wind on the horizon, but warned that aboriginal people were not about
to sign away their futures to meet a political time line. "Justice in
our time, that's what we are looking for," he said. "We cannot abandon
that for the sake of a real estate deal."

He said the eight treaty offers made by the federal and provincial governments
to B.C. aboriginal nations have all been rejected.

September 21,
2000

!!!URGENT
ALERT!!!

An attack is imminent on a native Community in new brunswick.
People in the midwestern u.s. should Immediately call the canadian
consulate In chicago at (312) 616-1860, asking that No armed action
be taken against the Mi'kmaq, and their treaty rights be Respected.

**This Canadian situation, along with two similar crises in Colombian
indigenous nations, will be discussed Friday at noon on WORT's A
Public Affair, 89.9 fm in Madison, WI** Background on the Mi'kmaq
treaty crisis at http://treaty.indigneousnative.org/mi'kmaq.html and
http://www.treatyland.com

Contrary to media reports and the statement by Minister Dhaliwal in
the Commons today, the mediator, the Honourable Bob Rae, has not "quit"
and is willing to continue the mediation process "if both parties agree".

Burnt Church has agreed.

We are awaiting the response from the Minister. If there is a raid tomorrow
on the community, then the government will have shown us that it wasn't
serious in finding a solution.

This notice asks for prayers at 11:00 am EST today, when another awful
raid is expected; please pass it along.

Last month, about a week after I wrote my first press release asking
for prayers for Esgenoopetitj, Nina, one of the CPT observers came to
tell me, "You keep asking for those prayers, I think it's working! I believe
this too, especially since more of us are asking for prayers now. Those
of you who would rather think "positive thoughts" can do this, it will
help too.

The following message from ARC Atlantic member Judy Loo explains that
observers in Esgenoopetitj expect a morning raid by government officials.
Please do all you can to help. Let me know if you need more information.

Sept, 21, 2000 16:38:59

I just received a call from Brigid, one of the observers in Esgenoopetitj.
She says that people expect a raid tomorrow morning, on the basis of Dhaliwal's
press conference, and probably other information. They do not, at this
point, expect the non-native fishers to come into the bay cutting traps.

There are three boats from the community in the bay as I write this,
doing a count. An Observer and a Christian Peacemaker Teams member are
on the boats along with three independent observers, including Brian Atkinson,
a member of our Oxfam group and a former accompanier in Guatemala, who
is also a photo journalist. The RCMP apparently declined to participate
in the count after saying all along that they would.

The community is planning a prayer vigil tomorrow. They ask for our
prayers too, particularly around 11:00 when they expect the raid to occur.
200 Aboriginal and non-aboriginal people are coming from Manitoba and
are expected to be present in the community tomorrow, along with many
other supporters from various locations. They are hoping that there will
not be a confrontation on the water - instead they plan to pray.

I have been asked by Karen Sommerville, the spokeperson for the fishing
issue in Esgenoopetitj, to ask you to organize public prayer vigils around
11:00 tomorrow morning, if possible. Please share this information in
any way you want to.

Peace, Judy

HELP!! Burnt Church Situation Worsens

Please respond immediately to this plea for help to stop increasing
militaristic attacks from the Canadian government on the people of Esgenoopetitj/Burnt
Church, NB. The writer chose not to mention the increasing threat of extreme
violence from non-native fishers (a number of Esgenoopetitj residents
and Christian Peacemaker Team (CPT) observers have already suffered violence
from non-native fishers and Dept of Fisheries & Oceans (DFO) staff!);
please understand that this possibility is imminent. For your convenience,
I attach a copy of my letter to my own MP, Angela Vautour, at the end
of this message.

I suggest that, in addition to Prime Minister Chretien, Ministers Dhaliwal
and Nault and Wouters, that you contact your own elected representatives
and leaders of any religious organizations that you can make contact with,
and demand their immediate action to demand that Canada stops these "enforcement
actions". I am currently working with the United Church of Canada and
the Inter Faith Council of Halifax to organize Inter-Faith Prayer Gatherings
(and media coverage for same) to seek peace and cooperation between government
and First Nations, and most especially, to encourage dialogue between
First Nations and non-native fishers in their dangerous positions as pawns
behind a smokescreen of corporate interests.

After working with this crisis for a while now, I am convinced that
unless the Canadian government is embarrased into it via a deluge of national
and international protest, that they will continue to deny that their
activities are contrary to the law and morality.

Your continued support is gratefully acknowledged and critical at this
time.

Respectfully,

Willi Nolan

Honourable Robert Nault
Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development

Dear Mr. Nault;

I am writing to express the concerns of our organisation over the failure
of the federal government to adequately protect aboriginal fishers who
are exercising their treaty rights in Burnt Church, New Brunswick.

The Burnt Church first nation is trapping lobster as per their right
defined by the Marshall decision last year. However, since that decision,
there has been a blatantly racist outpouring against aboriginal fishers
exercising their rights.

The false argument has been raised that somehow the issues at stake
are those of balancing environmental concerns with those of first nations
fishing rights. Nothing could be more false. The aboriginal fishery comprises
less than one percent of the entire commercial lobster haul. If there
is anything jeopardising the long-term viability of the lobster fisheries,
it is not aboriginal fishers, but rather the commercial fisheries.

In the same way that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans failed to
protect the cod fishery, despite warnings from its own department, so
has the department failed to protect the lobster fishery. Now, however,
it is convenient to use aboriginal fishers as the scapegoat for the government's
own mismanagement.

Our organisation urges you to intervene to ensure that aboriginal treaty
rights are respected allowing first nations fishers full access to lobster
fishing. We call on you to ask your government to stop scapegoating the
Burnt Church first nation and to stand up against the racist attacks unleashed
by your government's attempt to mitigate the Marshal decision.

Sincerely,

Pam Frache Ontario Campaigns and Government Relations Coordinator Canadian
Federation of Students

RCMP, DFO AND POSSIBLY MILITARY
MOVE IN ON BURNT CHURCH

A joint force of RCMP and Department of Fisheries officers with Department
of Defense military backup are closing in on Burnt Church tonight according
to The Assembly of First Nations, Media Relations person, Jean Larose.
In a short conversation, Larose said the AFN can't verify the number of
forces being sent to Burnt Church but the Band members have indicated
they are moving down to the water to protect their traps and boats.

The following email from the Assembly of First Nations Media office
requesting phone calls and assistance to prevent a large scale para-military
style federal enforcement intervention in the Mic Mac Fishery on Miramichi
Bay at the Burnt Church First Nation. I quote below:

We have just learned that the situation in Burnt Church has
deteriorated. The federal government has refused to discuss any of the
issues notwithstanding the goodwill displayed by the community to make
the mediation process work.

September 20,
2000

URGENT - HELP NEEDED - URGENT

September 20, 2000

TO: ALL ALLIES
FROM: Coalition for a Public Inquiry into Ipperwash

The Coalition has just recieved a emergency call for support from
the AFN re: Burnt Church.

From the vantage point of our work in the Ipperwash Coalition we know
too well that this can have a tragic ending that will have repercussions
for many years to come.

I have attempted the calls they request (see below). The P.M.'s line
does not answer at night; I left messages at the #'s given for Dhaliwal
and Nault, and the number for Wayne Wouters (as I discovered!) is his
home - so I got to speak with him; he had had a FEW calls already.

We have just learned that the situation in Burnt Church has deteriorated.

The federal government has refused to discuss any of the issues notwithstanding
the goodwill displayed by the community to make the mediation process
work.

Current reports state that the mediator, Bob Rae, has or will quit
due to the federal intransigence. Of greater concern to all of us are
the reports that major, very major enforcement action including the
DFO, RCMP and possible military assistance will be undertaken tonight
or early tomorrow.

This will lead to a serious confrontation with possible, if not probable,
injuries to our citizens.

You are all urged to call the various federal players in this dispute
and strongly voice your concern about the government's actions.

I received the message below, which outlines the Canadian government's
increasing use of militaristic force against the people of Burnt Church.
My understanding of the situation is that by law, the Canadian government
MUST negotiate in good faith with the First Nations people, and that enforcement
activity is contrary to Canadian law and constitution in this situation.

Legal experts have informed published reports that DFO and RCMP attacks
on Burnt Church are criminal and unconscionable.

Please respond to my request as your constituent, for your intervention
without delay, and demand on my behalf that the government officials not
hold themselves above the law, avoid potential injuries and deaths, and
stop embarrassing the people of Canada with regard to acknowledging First
Nations Treaty rights and Human Rights to the use of our vast national
resources.

As the world watches and reports on this situation, it has become more
than apparent that DFO is covering up a $500 million lobster fishing industry
dominated by multinational corporations. It is also apparent that both
non-native and First Nations fishers are being played as pawns with their
lives and livelihoods offered up to protect large national and foreign
business interests.

Thank you for your expeditious response to my request. I further request
that you provide me with copies of any correspondence that you undertake
with regard to this situation.

Here is another number where you can send your letters:
Shawn Murdoch, Asst. to Minister Dhaliwal
Parliamentary Liaison
and Heather Bala, Communication Director for the Minister
cell: 613-794-9203
Please flood her answering machine. 613-992-3474
DFO 613-947-7082

As a representative for a non-governmental organization in consultative
status at the U.N. We have already phoned at Minister Nault's office and
at Herb Dhaliwal's office. We have already sent letters of support to
Mr. Dedam's office and are sending letters stating our concerns to various
federal officials and human rights organizations in Canada and at the
United Nations.

Tension increases in fishing dispute

BURNT CHURCH, N.B. - The agreement mediator Bob Rae reached Tuesday
night with leaders of the Burnt Church reserve has yet to proceed, and
that has commercial fishermen edgy.

Natives and federal fisheries officials were to have held a joint count
of lobster traps in Miramichi Bay and all untagged traps would be removed.
As of late Wednesday, however, now counting had taken place.

That has commercial fishermen angry. Tuesday night dozens of them gathered
at the wharf in Neguac as federal fisheries officials prepared to conduct
another raid on the native traps. The situation was volatile, and RCMP
officers were called in. The fisheries people decided not to inflame the
situation, so they cancelled the raid and police escorted them away from
the wharf.

Some non-native fishermen had earlier warning mediator Rae that there
could be bloodshed if the dispute wasn't settled soon.

Burnt Church braces for violence
as mediation in lobster dispute stalls

CHRIS MORRIS

BURNT CHURCH, N.B. (CP) - This Mi'kmaq community braced for more violence
on the water as talks aimed at settling a native fishing dispute dissolved
Wednesday into confusion and bitterness.

After a day of negotiations, Chief Wilbur Dedam announced that mediation
was "in limbo" and it appeared inevitable the band's lobster traps would
be seized by fisheries officers again.

"It's not going anywhere," Dedam said of mediation. "Two parties have
to agree, but the willingness isn't there on the part of government. Mr.
Dhaliwal hasn't budged at all."

Ovide Mercredi, former chief of the Assembly of First Nations, was on
the reserve and delivered an emotional appeal for peace.

He said the answer was in prayer. "I'm calling on the Canadian people
to pray for this community and for their politicians so they use reason,
not violence," he said.

Mercredi said support for the Burnt Church cause was growing across
the country. The assembly had contacted chiefs for support. "They're on
standby from the AFN for non-violent political action across the country."

Mercredi's bleak assessment came as non-native fishermen revealed the
federal government had proposed paying them to stay out of the volatile
dispute in northeastern New Brunswick.

Several commercial fishermen said federal officials floated an offer
through their union of from $10,000 to $12,000 a person to not haul native
traps from Miramichi Bay.

The fishermen rejected it.

"It's a joke," said Danny Noel, a fisherman from Val-Comeau, N.B. "Why
don't they give $10,000 to everyone on the reserve to stop them fishing?"

Another fisherman told ATV News: "We're not that poor yet. We still
got something to eat."

Non-native fishermen warned they would take matters into their own hands
within a week unless Ottawa stopped the native fishing immediately.

"The traps have to be out of there and no more fishing," said Robert
Breau, a commercial fisherman from Tabusintac, N.B. "The rules are there.
The Indians have to follow them."

Dedam said he was tiring of threats from non-natives. "They have already
earned their livelihood. They should just leave us alone," he said.

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans couldn't be reached to confirm
the payment offer, which came as all sides in the lobster dispute met
separately all day to discuss their next move.

Late Tuesday, mediator Bob Rae, a former Ontario premier, said native
leaders had proposed that the band and federal officials conduct a joint
count of native traps in the bay.

He said the band also offered to remove some traps in the water, a move
he called a "significant development."

The natives agreed to do the joint count with the RCMP but wanted the
Fisheries Department to first return several boats seized during earlier
raids. The natives said DFO refused that request and the count never took
place.

In Ottawa, federal Fisheries Minister Herb Dhaliwal said his patience
was wearing thin and warned he would take action if a settlement isn't
reached soon. "I've made every effort but I can tell you my patience is
at an end and I think that if we don't have this resolved very quickly,
I said I'll take action and I will," he said.

Dhaliwal called the native proposal to reduce the number of traps in
the water "progress," but said "we have to watch to make sure this is
followed up by action."

Commercial fishermen maintain a native fall lobster fishery when no
one else is permitted to fish could destroy lucrative stocks.

Violence flared around Burnt Church last fall when non-natives destroyed
hundreds of traps set by natives after the Supreme Court of Canada ruled
that natives have the right to earn a moderate livelihood from fishing.

About 200 commercial fishermen who fish in Miramichi Bay during the
regulated season, which runs from late April to end of June.

CKNW RADIO NEWS
September 20, 2000
11:03 a.m.
"The Union of BC Indian Chiefs has reaffirmed its support for natives in
Burnt Church, New Brunswick" Meeting in Vancouver, the BC chiefs have decided
on an emergency fundraising campaign to support their counterparts on the
east coast.

Burnt Church Braces For Confrontation

BURNT CHURCH, N.B. - The fragile talks in the dispute over New Brunswick's
lobster fishery have fallen apart. Burnt Church is on the brink of violence
as federal authorities prepare to seize native traps and commercial fishers
threaten to take matters into their own hands.

The RCMP have increased their presence around the reserve, and dozens
of native warriors continue to patrol the area. There is speculation federal
fisheries officials and the RCMP are preparing to seize native traps overnight
or on Thursday.

Mediator Bob Rae left Burnt Church Wednesday saying the parties "are
too far apart for mediation." He was returning to Toronto.

The mediation breakdown happened just one day after a supposed breakthrough.
On Tuesday, fisheries officials and native fishers agreed to a joint count
of native lobster traps in Miramichi Bay.

But the two sides could not agree on the details of the count. The Burnt
Church band refused to remove traps with native tags. The government does
not recognize those markings and has threatened to seize the traps.

Commercial fishers tired of waiting
The natives' defiance has angered commercial non-native fishers who are
tired of waiting for a solution to the conflict. They are threatening
to take native traps out of the water if nothing is done soon.

The commercial fishers also say Ottawa offered them $10,000 to $12,000
each to stay away from the native traps. But they rejected that proposal.

"They want to offer $10,000 but we don't want it," one commercial fisher
said. "We don't need it. Why give the native people the right to fish
and do what they want?"

There's been no confirmation of the offer from the Department of Fisheries
and Oceans.

But Fisheries Minister Herb Dhaliwal made it clear his patience is running
out. "I think that if we don't have this resolved very quickly, I said
I'll take action and I will," he said Wednesday.

Interpretations differ over Marshall ruling
The conflict has been ongoing since the Supreme Court of Canada affirmed
the native right to fish based on centuries-old treaties.

There are conflicting interpretations of the so-called Marshall decision.
The Mi'kmaq say they'll keep setting lobster traps because the ruling
allows them to fish how and when they choose.

But the federal government says it retains the right to regulate all
fisheries. And non-native fishermen say there has to be one set of rules
for everyone.

On the reserve Wednesday, Ovide Mercredi, former chief of the Assembly
of First Nations, made an emotional appeal for peace. "I'm calling on
the Canadian people to pray for this community and for their politicians
so they use reason, not violence," he said.

A vigil was held Wednesday night on the wharf at Burnt Church, as people
watch and wait to see if the violence that flared last fall between native
and non-native fishers will appear again.

Natives Declare Victory In N.B. Fishing Dispute

Tentative Deal Reached With Federal Government

MIRAMICHI, N.B., Updated 7:29 a.m. EDT September 20, 2000 --
Natives on New Brunswick's Burnt Church reserve are declaring victory
Wednesday. The band reached a tentative deal with the federal government
that apparently allows them to run their own lobster fishery.

Late Tuesday, mediator Bob Rae called the deal a first step towards
peace in the dispute. He says Burnt Church has agreed to remove a significant
number of traps from the water. Native leaders proposed a joint count
of traps in the waters of Miramichi Bay. Federal fisheries officials would
participate in the effort.

But band councillor Brian Bartibogue says Burnt Church has not caved
in. He points out that the band will not sign a fishing deal with Ottawa.
And he adds that his people have proven they can run a treaty-based fishery.

During the talks, native leaders proposed a joint count of traps in
the waters of Miramichi Bay. Federal fisheries officials would participate
in the effort.

Meanwhile, the Maritime Fishermen's Union is pleased that both sides
have agreed to co-operate. Reg Comeau says he's happy that natives plan
to remove lobster traps from Miramichi Bay.

Tuesday night, angry non-native fishermen gathered in Neguac, N.B.,
and there were fears that they may pull Mi'kmaq traps from the water.

But Comeau says fishermen will now wait and see if the natives live
up to their end of the deal.

Natives Commit To Lobster Trap Removal

Bob Rae brokered an agreement late Tuesday that could clear the way
to a peaceful settlement in the native fishing dispute in northeastern
New Brunswick.

The former Ontario premier called the breakthrough in the standoff between
the federal government and the Burnt Church First Nation "a significant
development."

Mr. Rae said native leaders proposed that the band and federal officials
conduct a joint count Wednesday of traps in the water off Burnt Church
and "that they are prepared to remove traps from the water at that time.
It is important to emphasize that this is a positive development and will
contribute to an ultimate settlement," he said following a long day of
meetings with all sides in the dispute.

The development came just when talks appeared to be breaking down and
the potential for violence on Miramichi Bay was growing.

Mr. Rae, who agreed last week to try to mediate the dispute, said the
natives offered to remove a substantial number of traps - a decision he
believes "will have a positive affect on the public mood."

The mood was tense all day on and around the reserve as people lined
the shore watching for any developments on the water. Non-native fishermen
in the area have been threatening to take matters into their own hands
if Mr. Rae can't mediate a solution.

The development came only hours after federal Fisheries Minister Herb
Dhaliwal appeared to be giving up hope in a quick settlement. Mr. Dhaliwal
said in a release he was "deeply disappointed" that mediation hadn't worked
and warned native leaders not to use talks as "a shield for unauthorized
activity. We cannot and will not jeopardize conservation, or the viability
of the fishery, by letting fishing activity continue unabated."

There have been concerns that commercial fishermen who live near Burnt
Church might take the law into their own hands and destroy native traps
in Miramichi Bay. That could lead to a repeat of what occurred last year
when a massive seizure of native traps by commercial fishermen led to
a week of violence and vandalism and opened a deep chasm of distrust between
aboriginal and non-aboriginal communities in the area.

Ovide Mercredi, former national chief of the Assembly of First Nations,
was in Burnt Church on Tuesday and pleaded for restraint and tolerance
from both federal officials and non-natives.

"The people of Burnt Church don't want to take anyone else's livelihood,"
said Mr. Mercredi, who is advising Matthew Coon Come, the current national
chief, on the explosive situation. "They just want equal access to the
resource so they can have a livelihood themselves."

Earlier in the day the Mi'kmaq community of about 1,300 people agreed
during a community meeting to end their lobster fishery, which Ottawa
considers illegal, in 2* weeks. That is about three weeks earlier than
they originally wanted to pull their traps.

Brian Bartibogue, a band councillor, said the decision wasn't difficult
since it appears the lobsters are leaving the bay earlier than usual.
Lobsters are migratory creatures that move to warm inshore waters in the
summer and creep out into deeper water as winter approaches.

"This is a victory," Mr. Bartibogue said as he announced the band's
plan to stop fishing next month. "We have not and do not plan to sign
an interim agreement with the federal Fisheries Department. We've proven
we can implement a treaty-based fishery."

The only commercial fishery sanctioned by Ottawa in the bay is from
late April until the end of June. Although there is provision for a native
fall food fishery, Burnt Church dismissed that as insufficient and pursued
a full-scale livelihood fishery, which they believe is sanctioned by ancient
treaties and current Canadian law.

Mr. Rae said questions of legality are beyond his mandate as a mediator.
"It is a reality that the government of Canada has taken a position that
the fishery is not lawful and the band has taken the position that it
is lawful," Mr. Rae said. "This is not something that can be decided by
mediation." Mr. Rae said earlier that he would try to clarify positions
on all sides of the issue and see whether there's room for negotiation.

If not, the people of Burnt Church said they are prepared to defend
their property and their rights against federal fisheries officers and,
if necessary, non-native fishermen.